Worklife
The common thread of my work revolves around the spirit of creativity, Personal Ownership and a self directed life. I practice from the belief that we are each innately whole and possess the foundational qualities of resilience and possibility which naturally lead us toward healing and growth. When we are centered in our most healthy vibrant selves these innate qualities happily and gently guide us in our flow of life.
My philosophy is a strength based and person centered approach that centers around personal resilience and the understanding of the mind/body's ability to grow and change. My approach is multifaceted and calls upon the unique strengths that each individual has within. I rely on core coaching techniques, reflective inquiry, motivational interviewing and mindful experiential somatic based therapies to explore negative beliefs and expand empowering experience. These combined with the energetic tools of meditation, guided imagery and creative visualization makes for powerful transformation and personal freedom. I also employ the tools of Bilateral Experiencing & Positive Psychology Applications to enhance personal strengths and well being and to enable my clients to flourish in their lives.
As an ICF Certified Coach I coach through the ICF Code of Ethics and maintain my ICF Coaching Certification with continuing education.
Journey to Here
I grew up in a highly communicative Italian family in Chicago, during the free-spirited decade of the 1970s. My parents were upbeat and encouraged me to freely cultivate a strong sense of humor and of self. The two are handy together.
As life evolved, I was fortunate to study under Julia Cameron as she was writing and developing her personal practices which later became the book 'The Artist's Way'. I took these lessons and practices to heart and they have continued to influence and impact my life.
Through all of the unique relationships in my life, I have grown to understand that it is the relationships in our lives that hold the most profound opportunities for personal reflection, inspiration and expansion. As a mindfulness-based somatic coach, I feel honored to be in these expansive relationships with each of my clients as they eagerly and bravely explore their growth opportunities!
Formal Education, Clinical Training & More.
2010 -Completed the International Coaching Federation’s accredited program at the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching, with a Professional Certified Coach credential through the ICF.
As an iPEC Certified Professional Coach, I hold a Master Practitioner Certificate in the Energy Leadership Index Assessment.
2012 -Completed the Hakomi Method of Experiential Body-Centered Psychotherapy from Mindful Experiential Therapy Approaches Institute (M.E.T.A Institute) Professional Skills Training.
2013 -Completed R-CS, Re-Creation of the Self technique through Mindful Experiential Therapy Approaches Institute with Founder Jon Eisman (M.E.T.A Institute).
2014 -Completed Attachment Training through Mindful Experiential Therapy Approaches Institute (M.E.T.A Institute).
2016 -Completed CIMBS (Complex Integration Of Multiple Brain Systems) Introductory to Neuro-Physiopsycho Therapy.
2019 -Completed Introductory to Integrative NLP Practitioner Training.
2020 -The Dynamic Trio; EMDR, Positive Psychology & Somatic Coaching Training at Mindfulness Coaching School.
Additionally; I hold a bachelor of arts in communication from Columbia College; sit on the board of directors for Open Adoption & Family Services and have been honored to serve the Oregon legislature as part of an Oregon Law Commission work group, working to rewrite Oregon adoption law and reshape Oregon adoption practice. I have had the pleasure of being a regular contributing guest speaker at NUNM the oldest accredited naturopathic medical university in North America and a leader in natural medicine education and training; and I'm the Founder & Director of the Portland Coaching Collective.
